Changes have been heavily criticized by some San Benito County
residents for taking power away from local voters
Hollister – The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to introduce changes to the Potential Residential Growth Increase program.
Those changes have been heavily criticized by some San Benito County residents for taking power away from local voters. Under the proposal, any development of 100 units of more seeking a general plan amendment – such as the 6,800-unit El Rancho San Benito – would still need voter approval, but the proposed changes would move the election from the beginning of the planning process to the end.
Final approval of the changes is planned for August 28.
“People ultimately will be able to decide the fate of these developments,” Board Chairman Don Marcus said.
Marcus, along with Supervisors Anthony Botelho, Jaime De La Cruz and Reb Monaco, voted in favor the changes. Supervisor Pat Loe cast the lone “no” vote.
At a previous meeting, Loe endorsed a plan that included an advisory vote shortly after a project proposal is submitted and a second, binding vote after the planning and environmental review are complete. Without the advisory election, Loe said the later election would just ask voters to “rubber stamp” a decision that the Board of Supervisors has already made.
